Sea Champions

On Saturday 12 February the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) introduced their ‘Sea Champions’ project to Wales.

I attended the Saturday Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales event and a second event was held in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, North Wales ‘Welsh Sea Champions Come on Board’.

The Marine Conservation Society says,
“There’s hardly anywhere in Welsh seas where marine wildlife is completely safe from harm. It is vital that enough ‘Marine Protected Areas’ are established around the coast to allow plants and animals to recover and flourish.”
‘Wildlife Protection Campaign’

“We must turn the tide on beach litter – levels of litter on our beaches have doubled over the last decade. Not only is marine rubbish unsightly, it is also dangerous to sea life, including seabirds, whales and dolphins.”
‘Clean Seas and Beaches Campaign’

“Currently, 88% of Europe’s fish stocks are over fished or depleted. Fish we once took for granted on our plates, like skate and cod, are now rare. The future of fish stocks depend on bringing an end to overfishing which is devastating the life in our seas, and promoting sustainable alternatives to threatened favourites.”
‘Fishing for our Future’

I took my eldest son with me on Saturday and we both signed up to become ‘Sea Champions’. Living near the Menai Straits and enjoying the surfing and snorkelling around Anglesey we are passionate about the sea.

We took part in the ‘Beachwatch Big Weekend’ last September and we intend to join in with the clean up and survey this year 17-18 September 2011. We removed over 190kgs of rubbish from Tan-Y-Foel, Brynsiencyn, Anglesey. Read my blog about the ‘Beachwatch Results’.

I am passionate about informing event organisers about the negative impact of and support the MCS ‘Don’t Let Go’ campaign. I hope PR companies, event organisers and the party/promotional balloon industry join the campaign and choose other, sustainable, ways of celebrating an occasion.

I want to see seas fit for life, fish for my grandchildren to eat and clean seas.

If you would like to find out more about Sea Champions in Wales then email gill.bell@mcsuk.org.